G Adventures - 16 Day NZ South Island Encompassed Itinerary

Arrive into Wellington at any time. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. Start the adventure with a Big Night Out with the group.

Suggested outings in and around Wellington.

Accommodation Nomads Wellington (or similar)

Travel by InterIsland Ferry to the South Island, travel to Marahau at the start of the Park and then transfer by water taxi into Abel Tasman National Park.

Abel Tasman National Park

Golden beaches border the translucent turquoise sea, and sandy estuaries fringed by natural forests. The walking tracks here, both in land and costal, are world famous for their outstanding beauty. Walking and Kayaking and then just kicking back on one of the many unspoilt beaches you will discover along the way is what its all about. Plus you have the added bonus of face-to-face encounters with marine wildlife and birds. The Abel Tasman National Park is home to the ever-entertaining seal colony and who knows you may be lucky enough to spot visiting dolphins and Orcas playing in the Abel Tasman National Park waters.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Aqua Packers (or similar)

Hike and explore Abel Tasman's golden beaches and waterways. Walk along the Coastline Track from Anchorage to Marahau to one of the world's most scenic golden sand beaches. French names left by Dumont d’Urville and his crew add character to this part of the Abel Tasman Track. After Yellow Point it turns inland, winding in and out of several little gullies before emerging in open country overlooking Torrent Bay and the coast and islands to the north. On the far side of the estuary the track passes through open country to Tinline Bay.
 
The track rounds Guilbert Point to Apple Tree Bay then passes through beech forest with large kanuka trees. After Yellow Point it turns inland, winding in and out of several little gullies before emerging in open country overlooking Torrent Bay and the coast and islands to the north.
 
Time: 4 hours   Distance: 12.4 km (7.5 mi)

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Old MacDonalds Farm (or similar)

Today we head south down the coast of black-sand beaches. The West Coast is wild and untamed, sparsely populated but the views are impressive.

Seal Colony - Cape Foulwind
Stop by a viewing platform over a New Zealand fur seal colony at Cape Foulwind. Female seals will live in the same colony for the duration of their lives, whereas male seals move around more. The males visit the Cape Foulwind colony between late November and mid-January for mating season. All seasons offer plenty of activity to check out, from mating to the raising of baby pups and feeding out at sea.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Tripinn Hostel, YHA Westport (or similar)

Pancake Rocks Trek
​Walk along a loop trail with informative signs detailing how the 'Pancake Rocks' were formed millions of years ago. When the trail reaches the coast, there are many lookouts for photo stops and beautiful views of the coast, the rocks and the blowholes found along the area.

Following the coastal road towards Franz Josef you will arrive at a unique wilderness lodge set in the rainforest for the night. Enjoy your free time in Franz Josef and take part in optional activities like hiking, horseback riding, and quad biking.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Rainforest Retreat 2 nights (or Similar)

Spend the day exploring the stunning region around Franz Josef. Opt for various hiking adventures in the area, the most popular being a glacier trek. If relaxing is more your style, there are shorter day hikes and bush walks or local hot pools to take a dip. You are in the heart of Westland National Park, considered to be the most diverse and beautiful area in New Zealand.

Excursions available in and around the Franz Josef area:

Meals: Breakfast 

Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and ringed by towering mountains, Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s ultimate holiday destinations. It may be the adventure capital of the world, but it’s also home to excellent food and wine scene as well as great shopping, hiking and endless opportunities to relax. It’s just as easy to go fishing, golfing, gold panning or wine tasting as it is to Bungy jump or skydive. Famed for its international winter skiing profile and outdoor beauty, Queenstown is a brilliant destination to visit year-round. One thing is certain here: you won’t run out of things to do.  

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Jucy Snooze Queenstown (or similar) - 3 nights 

Explore everything Queenstown has to offer and do it your way on a day of leisure. You can get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling Wilderness Jet Boat Ride  or if you prefer something more relaxing like a wine tour in the stunning vineyards of the Gibbston Valley, you won’t be disappointed. 

Recommended Queenstown excursions:

Meals: Breakfasts 

Visit Fiordland National Park and enjoy a boat cruise through breathtaking Milford Sound. In the evening, opt to cruise across Lake Te Anau and visit a cave that is home to thousands of glowworms.

Milford Sound Cruise

Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound from the deck of a boat. Recharge your camera and be ready to shoot stunning photos of waterfalls, mountains stretching up to the sky and down to the sea and then search for dolphins and seals. This place is any artist's dream!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park (or similar) - 1 Night 

Lace up your hiking boots and discover the natural beauty of Te Anau. Available hikes range from short walks to challenging full day hikes. Head out and take in the amazing scenery around you.

In the afternoon you can sit back and enjoy the scenic ride to Wedderburn, Central Otago, where you will be staying at Mt Ida Shearers Quarters.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Mt Ida Shearers Quarters  2 nights (or similar)

This morning we head into Central Otago to spend the afternoon cycling from best starting points of the Historic Central Otago Rail Trail 42 km (26 mi). Pass through scenery unspoiled by traffic and not visible from any roads. 

Highlights include seeing The Rock and Pillar Range, this is Otago's most distinctive upland features; its summit ridge dominated by impressive schist tors or rocky pillars. The Taieri River, the Kakanui Mountains, the trail provides beautiful scenery and a peaceful scenic atmosphere

Meals: Breakfast

New Zealand’s second-largest city 'Christchurch' has bounced back after a series of major earthquakes, and has shown its resiliency with a number of new and exciting developments popping up everywhere. Don’t miss the Re Start Shopping Mall, made out of shipping containers, as well as the many funky Pop Up bars dotted throughout the city. All public services and spaces are running as normal, and Christchurch continues to be a vibrant city to live, work and play. ​

Some suggested excursions if you have time.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation Jailhouse Accommodation 1 night (or similar)

The road to kaikoura has impressive coastal views, roaring surf, rocky bays dotted with fur seals sunbathing on rocks. The township of Kaikoura is a great place for lunch, take the opportunity to join an excursion to get up close and personal with dolphins, seals, whales and other sea creatures.

Suggested Wildlife Encounters in Kaikoura

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Dusky Lodge 1 night (or similar)

After lunch continue your journey through Marlborough to Picton. Marlborough is the engine room of the New Zealand wine industry. In the 1970's the plains would have been filled by sheep - now it  is vines as far as the eye can see, producing world cool climate varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir. Continuing north the vines will keep you company as you reach Blenheim. A 25 minute drive north of Blenheim you will find Picton the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds and your final leg an Interisland Cruise to Wellington.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation Nomads Wellington (or similar)

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

We know you will enjoy the 'New Zealand South Island Encompassed Adventure Tour' and our promise to you is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

Meals: Breakfast

Included Highlights

• Explore the trails of Abel Tasman National Park by foot
• Get an adrenaline rush in Queenstown
• Weave through the remote fjords of the Doubtful Sound by sea kayak
• Cycle the Otago Rail Trail.

Inclusions

• Excursion to Abel Tasman NP
• Seal colony visit
• Walks in Abel Tasman NP, Paparoa NP, and Lake Matheson
• Sea kayaking excursion (Doubtful Sound, seasonal)
• Cycling excursion (Central Otago)
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Is this tour for me?

Service Level: Basic Simple and clean hotels and hostels. 
Physical Rating: 3 - Average - Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting.
Trip Type: Small Group: Small group experience; Max 20, avg 16.
Age requirement: 18-39.